JERSEY CITY -- The murder rate in Jersey City climbed from 12 to 20 from 2012 to 2013, according to statistics made available early in May by the New Jersey State Police. However, most other areas of crime declined in that period. Six of the murders took place over a three-week period during the summer.

In the next few weeks, the city and Police Department expect to unveil a plan of action they hope will prevent violence from escalating this summer as it did last year.

Crime declined during the first quarter of 2014, as compared with that time last year. But Public Safety Director James Shea said while the numbers may show a positive trend, he never loses sight of the fact that these crimes involve people.

“Every number represents a victim,” he said. “We can’t be self-satisfied with lower numbers when each is a victim of a crime.”

Shea, Mayor Steven Fulop, and Police Chief Robert Cowan are not taking the positive numbers for granted, especially considering the violent crime spree that took place last summer. The three officials review crime stats on a daily basis, and review the circumstances of every shooting incident.

See the cover story in this weekend's Jersey City Reporter for much more on this story.